Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Cocktail Preachers - Intoxicating
| This is a fine set of tunes from Chicago's superb Cocktail Preachers. Some titles have been out before, but these are all new recordings with crunchy sound and fine musicianship. |
Picks: Jimmy's New Board, Wraparound, Kika Melokia, Gutterball, Kilameawea, Slingshot To Durango, From Spain... To Russia, Dreams, Bullwinkle Pt 2
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Jimmy's New Board" is a wonderful, optimistic surf instro that's splashy and fun, perhaps like an outgrowth of "Last Ride." The catchy melody line and infectious rhythm make for a great track to hit the highway with. This is simply perfect!
Surf (Instrumental)
The brooding bass and drums are superb as the guitar taunts island chords and post-storm turmoil. "Wraparound" is very nice!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Kika Melokia" erupts into a coastal cruiser with a traveling sensation. Slightly moody, but optimistically heading into the sunset.
Surf (Instrumental)
It's abut time someone covered The Goldtones' "Gutterball!" The lead is subdued compared to the original, providing substantial transformation. Slide replaces the intense lap steel of the original. Great drums and booming bass.
Surf (Instrumental)
Slippery guitar brings out the island imagery, while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation. The melody is part sunset pretty, and part open highway. Quite nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
Galloping drums, bass, and rhythm guitar ride the range under a slightly sad melody. This is a really nice track with the kind of arrangement that quickly settles into your mind to stay.
Surf (Instrumental)
Slow and silky in the beginning, "From Spain... To Russia" becomes a very cool number with an infectious rhythm track. Part Spanish, part Mediterranean, and part glassy cove. Fine stuff here.
Surf (Instrumental)
Island slither seduces you with the lure of a Pacific atoll. I found this to grow on me as I listened. Its romantic fluidity and simple imagery are really hard not to like.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a rather grumbly live cover of The Centurions' brilliant "Bullwinkle Pt. II." It has the dark bass grodiness of the original, the slide romance of the Impacts' version, and a healthy dose of Cocktail juice.